The Foriegn advisor walked slowing up the steps to the imperial palace. In his hands was a small folder of information, information that could change that face of Japanese history forever. He was quickly ushered in by the gaurds, and sat down at the Emporer's table.
The Emporer seemed...at peace, drinking his tea in the afternoon, his thoughts only on the glorious future he envisioned for his people. Over the past year, his military began to gather, began to grow as more and more young men volenteered and were drafted into his army. The medium sized army had grown into a large one.
Their funds went into increasing production centers, buying weapons, ammunition, and drafting and training the new forces. Just 4 months ago a new officer military training school was built for those who showed appititude at Elementry school, and the new Japanese army and navy were a well oiled machine.
Mock battles, battle manuevers, and target practice were constantly being done, making the Japanese army completely prepared for any battle the Emporer ordered them too. The well-trained Japanese force was prepared for war. The emporer dispelled his thoughts for the time being, there would be another time. He turned to the Foriegn Minister, "Yes?"
"Your highness," the minister nervously began, "I have a report of the happenings of the World." The emporer nodded at the man to continue. "Sir, the Empire of America attacked Empire of Mexico, Michigan declared war on America, and then recently, the begining of this year, did the French declare on America also. It is likely that our allies the English will get involved, and it is not certain whether the Russians will act or not."
The Emporer sat silent for a long moment, thoughts racing through his head. The implications of the French declaring had major repercussions, it was likely that many of the major powers will now get involved in this conflict. "World War...."
"It seems that way, sir." the advisor said. "What should we do? What side should we take?" The emporer looked sharply at the advisor, anger evident on his features. "Side? No, we will not choose a side. We will make our own. If this is too be World War, we will make it so. Gather the military advisors, we will begin this war now, before it comes to us. We will set the terms of our engagements." The man numbly nodded before he relayed the message to the military high command. World War seemed imminent.
****
The Military Advisors gathered around the table, silent. The Prime minister Sachi Hayabusa stood slightly to the left of Emporer Meiji, who sat at the head of the table. The wooden table gleened, and there were many maps, papers and reports laid across it. The Emporer silently stared at the figures containing the troop infromation of his Empire. "Are these figure's correct?" the Emporer asked.
One of military advisors, Haru Kariudo, looked at the figures before answering, "Yes, your highness, that is correct. We have 300,000 men total, althrough it would be best to keep 100,000 at home so that they can finished advanced training. We have 40 Fuji Class Battleships, and 35 of the older Hiei Corvette Class warships. Our fleets, and our troops are ready at anytime, your highness. We are at a state of moblization."
The Emporer looked around him, at the maps, at the battle plans, at the statistics, and he slowly looked down at the piece of paper the Foriegn advisor had given to him early that same morning. It detailed the foriegn wars, and their expected effects, but scrawled at the bottom was the words that had been echoing inside his head for many hours.
The Moment is ours, Korea is weak. Mexico is weak. China is weak. What should we do?
"What should we do?" the Emporer asked, voicing his thoughts, his worries. The Advisors looked around for a moment, back to their maps, considering the power of the army, the strength of the Empire.
"We go to war, my lord. Already Korea is in our grasp, thanks to the control of their cabinet we have, we merely need to come in and firmly establish control over it. China will no doubt look to fight us over Korea, and we may be able to draw them into a losing war, and strengthen our Empire that way. Also, the Empire of Mexico will no doubt be tied up from the fight with America, and we can easily use a fast campiagn to overwhelm them, and gain favor with the Americans. We are in a good position. I think we should take advantage of it."
The Emporer, leaned back, sighed, and then looked up. "Do it. Move our forces. We will send 60,000 men to Korea, along with 10 Battleships, and 10 Hiei Corvettes. Send a wire to America, we will fight on their side. Do not formally declare War against the Empire of Mexico and France, yet. We will send 140,000 men with 10 Battleships, and 20 Hei Corvettes towards our Hawaii Colony. From their, we will invade Mexico, and begin the World War in earnest. The rest of our men, will defend Japan from any threat. Go, you have your orders."
As the men left the room, the Emporer did not move. He sat until he was alone in the room, looking forlorning on the maps laid out before him. All of this, would secure his place, no, Japan's place in history. But, why did it feel so horrible? The drum beat of War was a harsh taskmaster, but, why did it feel like he had secured the death of millions? It was of no matter, he would do what was best for Japan, and this War would change the World.
****
It had been 2 months since the Emporer's orders, and the Korean campiagn was procceding smoothly. The Korean army was caught unprepared, and most of the country was under Japanese control. Since the Korean cabinet and King were mere puppets for the Japanese Emporer, several Korean military captians and soldiers had taken control of the capital, the last stronghold of Korea in the face of the Japanese onslaught. The Korean navy was fighting against the numerically superior Japanese fleet, 18 (Japanese Navy) to 7 (Korean Navy).
Thanks to the Sino-Japanese War several years earlier, their were many veterans among the Imperial Navy, making this battle easy for the battle hardened Japanese admirals. The fast firing Japanese guns, and the quick fire torpedo's that managed to hit their marks, the Korean navy soon capilated, and surrendered to the superior Japanese Navy. 1 Japanese Corvette had been sunk, while 3 Korean Corvette class ships had been sunk. The rest were being boarded as the Korean's surrended.
In the city, a fierce gun fight was taking place over control of the center sqaure. Japanese troops rushed through without fear of death, their war cries unsettling the enemy as the Japanese artillery crashed down around them. After several minutes of fierce fighting, the square was under Japanese control. Many of the high ranking Korean officers were killed in the fire fight, and the rest retreated in the main government building. Deciding to rest the troops, the General shelled the building with an artillery strike instead of taking it by regular force. As the building collapsed, the Japanese army cheered in victory.
Korea was now a part of the Japanese empire, and only its capital was extremely damaged at all, thanks to the defiance of the Korean High command.
Total Causalities: 7000 men, 3 Japanese Hiei Class Corvettes
Gains: Korea, 5 Korean Corvettes (Heavily Damaged), 18,000 Korean POWs
****
The fleet sent to Hawaii, along with its cargo, had finally arrived for re-supply before continueing their journey....
New Stats:
Nation Name: Empire of Japan
Age: Early Industrial
Army: Medium-Large [293,000] (Well Trained, Men fight to the death, fanatical)
Navy: Large [40 Fuji Battleships, 32 Hiei Corvettes, 5 Korean Corvettes] (Battle-Hardened)
Government: Divine Emporer, Meiji Kieto. Prime Minister, Sachi Hayabusa
Religion: Shinto (56%), Zen Buddist (40%), Christianity (4%)
Economy: Merchantile, Industrial, Urban
